Chronicle critics offer entertainment options

Published 11:04 am, Wednesday, April 30, 2014

Manjari Sharma's "Lord Vishnu" is among the elaborately-staged contemporary photographs.

Manjari Sharma's "Lord Vishnu" is among the elaborately-staged contemporary photographs.

Photo: Manfari Sharma

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Ian Casady and Jessica Collado perform in "Sons de L'Ame," one of three works by Stanton Welch on the program when Houston Ballet performs May 1 at the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion in the Woodlands.

Ian Casady and Jessica Collado perform in "Sons de L'Ame," one of three works by Stanton Welch on the program when Houston Ballet performs May 1 at the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion in the Woodlands.

Photo: Amitava Sarkar

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"Play" is one of three works by Stanton Welch the Houston Ballet will perform Thursday at the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion.

"Play" is one of three works by Stanton Welch the Houston Ballet will perform Thursday at the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion.

Photo: Amitava Sarkar

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Nikki Hill

Nikki Hill

Photo: Frank De Blase Photography

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RuPaul's Drag Race star Alexis Mateo.
Photo Credit: Mathu Andersen.

RuPaul's Drag Race star Alexis Mateo.
Photo Credit: Mathu Andersen.

Photo: Mathu Andersen

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Alexis Mateo made it to the top 3 on "RuPaul's Drag Race" season 3 and was featured on the first "All Stars" season.

Alexis Mateo made it to the top 3 on "RuPaul's Drag Race" season 3 and was featured on the first "All Stars" season.

A bust of German composer Ludwig van Beethoven. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

A bust of German composer Ludwig van Beethoven. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

Photo: Hulton Archive, Stringer

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Riff Raff

Riff Raff

Photo: Cindy Ord, Stringer

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Chronicle critics offer entertainment options

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Everett Evans

Theater

War is over - what next?

Countless plays, films and novels have dealt with the Civil War and its aftermath - so many that finding a new angle on the subject might seem an impossibility. But wait! Here's "The Whipping Man," Matthew Lopez's 2011 off-Broadway play that makes its Houston premiere this weekend at Stages Repertory Theatre. It begins just days after Robert E. Lee's surrender, as a wounded Confederate soldier returns to the ruins of his home and reunites with the only other remaining members of his household - two former slaves whom his family raised as Jews. As the three men prepare a most unusual Passover seder, they face up to the family's past, its secrets and their new relationship. Seth Gordon directs, with Ross Bautsch, Shawn Hamilton and Joseph Palmore. Previews Thursday, opens Friday, 7:30 p.m. Thursdays, 8 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays, 3 p.m. Sundays, through May 25; Stages Repertory Theatre, 3201 Allen Parkway; $19-$54; 713-527-0123, stages theatre.com.

Steven Brown

Classical music

A different take on Beethoven

The power and richness of modern-instruments orchestras have helped draw generations of audiences to Ludwig van Beethoven's symphonies. But groups that use instruments like those of the composer's time present a different sound. The silvery strings and explosive percussion give the music a visceral impact that suits Beethoven's storminess and humor. The Mercury period-instrument group continues its multiseason Beethoven journey with the "Pastoral" and Seventh Symphonies. 8 p.m. Thursday at University of Houston Clear Lake, 2700 Bay Area; $15; 281-283-2560, uhcl.edu/culturalarts; 8 p.m. Saturday at Wortham Theater Center, 501 Texas; $10-$65; 713-533-0080, mercuryhouston.org.

Molly Glentzer

Dance

Leaping outdoors

Houston Ballet brings some fresh air to its celebration of artistic director Stanton Welch's decade as director. It's quite a musical mix. The company performs his "Play," to cool, casual songs by Moby; the classical "Paquita," with a vibrant Leon Minkus score; and "Sons de Lâme (Sounds of the Soul)," to music by Frédéric Chopin. Pianist Katherine Burkwall-Ciscon and the Houston Ballet Orchestra also perform live. 8 p.m. Thursday at the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion, 2005 Lake Robbins, The Woodlands; orchestra seats $20, others free; 281-363-3300, woodlandscenter.org.

Art

Ancient ideas, modernized

Statuary of Hindu gods and goddesses are familiar sight in yoga studios, and exquisite classical bronze sculptures of their forms fill cases in museums. But they get an eye-popping update in the contemporary photographs of Manjari Sharma, who returned to her home city of Mumbai and staged elaborate representations with help from Indian artisans, sculptors and painters. "Transcendent Deities of India: The Everyday Occurrence of the Divine" features 60 vivid images that also include chromolithographs from the Raja Ravi Varma Press founded by a revered 19th-century artist who brilliantly fused Indian traditions with Western art techniques. Opens with a free reception 6 p.m. Friday, then $5 through Sept. 14. Asia Society Texas Center, 1370 Southmore; 713-5296-9901, asiasociety.org/texas.

Performance art

A moving stick-up

Choreographer Karen Sherman's "One With Others" combines dance, words and scrap wood to explore who we become based on our choices or the choices others make for us. DiverseWorks presents the Houston premiere of this multimedia piece that's touring at edgy arts spaces across the nation. 7:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday; $10-$15; the Barn, 2201 Preston; 713-223-8346, diverseworks.org.

Bruce Springsteen is 64, and he's been playing songs since about '64, which is to say he's gotten pretty good at it. His E Street Band has lost a few members during the past few years, but the long sets, deep song book and sweat-soaked shows remain best of class. He's touring behind the new "High Hopes," though you can expect more than a half century of songs in the mix. 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion, 2005 Lake Robbins, The Woodlands; $56.50-$126.50; 800-745-3000 or woodlandscenter.org.

Avant garde

Three for the future

Three innovative 20th-century composers - John Adams, Louis Andriessen and Steve Reich - showcase work that suggests their muse remains restless in the 21st century with a program performed by the 20-musician International Contemporary Ensemble. 8 p.m. Friday at Wortham Theater Center, 501 Texas; $28-$55; 713-524-5050, dacamera.com.

Ska

Unusual Suspects

The Suspects, one of Houston's great live bands, are a tirelessly frenetic ensemble that keeps ska alive. They don't don the jumpsuits and play all that often these days, so catch them while you can. 9 p.m. Friday at Shoeshine Charley's Big Top Lounge, 3714 Main; 713-529-9899. FREE

R&B

Heeere's Nikki

Nikki Hill is a soulful, punky throwback to old-school rock and R&B. Her voice has grit, and she's a dynamic performer to boot. Her album "Here's Nikki Hill," suggests the arrival of a vibrant talent. 9 p.m. Friday at Continental Club, 3700 Main; $12; 713-533-9525, continentalclub.com.

Rapper Riff Raff's rise to fame has been pretty colorful. The Houston native first got noticed on the reality show "From G's to Gents;" hooked up with comedians Simon Rex and Andy Milonakis; worked with Soulja Boy and Diplo; was at least part of the inspiration for James Franco's character in "Spring Breakers;" and appeared on an episode of One Life to Live." And this is all before the release of his second album, "Neon Icon," which dropped this month. With Travis Scott, DJ Grand Theft, Mr. Mark, Guilla and Ill Liad. 8 p.m. at Warehouse Live, 813 St. Emanuel; $20; 713-225-5483 or warehouselive.com.